I am an Iwo Jima wounded vet tanker... Now 83, and if I had to do it over again with the Marines I surely would. I spent one and a half years in the naval hospital and I'm very proud of what my 4th Div accomplished.

Sincerely Yours MO HARUN

In This Issue

Another year has passed. I started in 1988, 23 years ago. From one black and white t-shirt with jargon from Vietnam to what we have today. What a ride it has been. And none of it could have happened without YOUR support. Thank you, God bless you and Semper Fi!

Here we go: No Mirrors, hired guns, collect dog tags, sitting on my helmet, beat me like a stepchild, flip a good old- fashioned, the last shotgun shooter, more Bob Hope, Saudi Arabia.

Happy New Year

When I was a Drill Instructor at Parris Island in the early 70's. Boot pick-up was when I always lost my voice. So one year, no sooner that we put a platoon on the bus, we were scheduled to pick up another one, back to back. I remember it well, because it was to be on New Year's Eve.

So that meant that we had just one day off, and as usual, all us hats would go to Anne's Haven to celebrate the occasion. Well, needless to say, we all got sh-t faced, but did sober up enough for pick-up.

So here it was on New Year's Eve at zero dark thirty, and over a hundred new hogs were waiting for us at the receiving barracks. Still feeling kinda sh-tty and really in no mood to be looking and screaming at long haired punks... I put 2 Alka-Seltzer Tabs in each side of my mouth, and commenced the pick-up process. I slowly walked in front of each one, screaming at them to keep their head and eyes to the front. They weren't used to this kind of treatment so they naturally had to eyeball me, and when they did, they saw that I was foaming at the mouth, my eyes were bloodshot and I was screaming at them. I knew what they were thinking, because I could see the fear in their eyes. I got my point across and saved my voice.

After that, I used this technique often. I have many other stories, but this is my favorite...

No Mirrors

and as far as eat the apple and f-- k the Corps it is only something a Marine can say god help anyone else saying it

also, while doing fleet time i was able to secure two arm bands one for shore patrol and the other for military police of which i used both very often .. this enabled me to go places that we weren't allowed to go (off limits)!

also while on our way to japan we received word that there were no mirrors where we would be stationed, needless to say there were hardly any mirrors left on that ship when we disembarked

USMC

MCRD Quonset Huts

Sgt. Grit,

In previous correspondence, I had asked if anyone knew the exact location of the remaining Quonset huts at MCRD San Diego. I was fairly certain they were the ones used by 3rd. Bn. K Co. for the billeting and training of Recruits during the Vietnam era.

I stewed on it for a while and realized I had the answer available to me. All I needed was access to Google Earth for a fairly recent aerial photo of MCRD which would show its remaining landmarks from the Vietnam era (the grinder, the theater, the old receiving barracks, the streets and those remaining Quonset huts) and the aerial view of MCRD from that era, which I had in my Platoon 373 (1967) graduation album.

In today's newsletter 15 Dec, 2011, someone (ddick?) responded to Terry Enfield of plt. 328 (1966) about the remaining Quonset huts. His comments could have been accurate for his era, but not after Vietnam got heated. By my freshman night on campus, (08, May 1967) I'm fairly sure the Quonset huts in question were in service as a part of 3rd. Bn. I was in 3rd. Bn. L Co. and as ddick stated, it was adjacent to the fence between MCRD and the old Lindbergh Field part of the airport (where the Spirit of ST. Louis was built) and just east of the wooden chow halls.

By the time I returned to MCRD in February of 1970, I know the Quonset Huts in question were in use. They were part of three clusters of huts used by 3rd. Bn. K Co. for Recruit billeting with some occasional need for tents in the sand pit south of the huts. There were 50 huts in all (one cluster of 20 and two clusters of 15). The 15 remaining huts are what's left of the cluster of 20 which were as ddick stated across the street from the old Drill Instructor School (1970). They were just across the street (east) of what was used in that time for hand to hand combat training and just across the street (south) of the 3rd. Bn. HQ which was adjacent (west) of the Drill Instructor School which was immediately south of the storage building from which we drew our M-14 rifles and 782 gear.

In 1970 / 1971 I was a Drill Instructor with 3rd. Bn. K Co. and used those 50 Quonset huts to train five platoons of Privates (along with the help of a few tents when we returned from the rifle range before the senior series had graduated and vacated). 1st. and 2nd. Bn's. were moving into the new Barracks, but 3rd. Bn. was still in the famous Quonset huts. We did move into the new chow halls just before I left, but I still prefer the wooden chow halls and Quonset huts.

Semper Fidelis!

S/Sgt. (C.N. Hayes) / Nick Hayes 2340319 08 May, 1967 - 09 July 1971

Hired Guns

Sir, Reading the comments about how things were back in the day got me to thinking once again. I was active duty from August 1963 - October 1966. Seeing the term "splibs" to refer to black Marines made me recall that in E-2-6 the white guys were called "chucks" and the black guys were called the aforementioned "splibs" . I asked a black Marine why, and he said "Because". End of discussion. I also remember us calling ourselves "L.B.J.'s hired guns". Sometimes when we were in the field we would march route step and "sing" the Marines Hymn to the tune of "Running Bear". It would really irritate our lifer senior NCO's. All in fun never meant to be disrespectful. When you are 18-20 you do stuff without thinking about repercussions. Semper Fi. Old Dog Sgt. Weapons Plt. E-2-6 63-66.

Saudi Arabia 1990

It still blows my mind seeing all the pictures of Bob Hope through the many conflicts this country has seen. Attached is my picture of Mr. Bob Hope from the sands of Saudi Arabia in late 1990. He couldn't bring the girls but Johnny Bench was there.

We lost an icon that only Service members know.

Semper Fi Fred S. Stoki

Bob Hope Memorial

I was in San Diego a last month on business and took these photos at the Bob Hope memorial near the pier.

Thought I would share them with everyone. Jim Grimes

Collect Their Dog Tags

Sgt Grit:

Marine Myers asked about the origin of the "Oooh-rah" commonly heard from today's Marines. While going through ITR at Camp Geiger in '69, the Recon types were heard to be constantly shouting "Ah-roo-gah"' like the klaxon of a diving submarine. We remarked that they must be looking for PFC Aroogah who must have been lost in the woods somewhere. Perhaps this is the sound, now somewhat changed, that we hear from our current crop of Marines. Not, of course, to be mistaken for the Army "Hooah!", that some say to be the acronym for "Heard, Understood, Acknowledged"

The Recon types back then could be seen running on top of the elevated steam pipes, or doing pull-ups off the top rungs of the water tower. One of their favorite pastimes was to head out to the night infiltration course, where they would lie in wait for unsuspecting ITR students who were crawling around in the dark. They would jump on them and collect their dog tags as part of one of their contests. The poor students thought that this was part of the training!

Myers, if you have a service number that starts with a one, then you are Old Corps. My son is also Active Duty, on his third trip to the sandbox, so I've seen some of the differences. Yep, the Corps has changed, and for the better in many ways.

Mustang 1302

Nothing But Ringing

While stationed outside of DaNang with 1st Tank BN as a 2141 (track vehicle repairman) I was sent TAD to Phu Bai-Hue at the beginning of Tet '68.To repair a M-48A3. I flew on a transport plane to PhuBai then by jeep to a hill outside of Hue. Flew all the way sitting on my helmet to the amusement of a Thompson submachine gun toting Army Lt. Col. I was asked about my take on the offensive by the NVA by a news reporter but told him the Doggy Col. would love to speak to him just to get him to stop bugging me.

When I arrived I was told to find a spot on the hill and dig a fighting hole to sleep in. I would be taken to the tank the next day so I could get it up and running. After digging the hole out of rock I was beat and fell asleep soundly. At about 0430 hours a battery of 4.2 Howtars had moved on to the hill just above my fighting hole and got a fire mission. They seemed to fire off at the exact same time. I jumped about 5 feet up from the hole and couldn't hear nothing but ringing. When I came down I was wishing I had dug the hole deeper until I found out that it was out going, not incoming. If the 4.2's did as much damage as they sounded like, I was certainly glad that they were firing on the NVA and not us. No wonder cannon cockers can't hear worth sh-t!

They told me later that they had to blow the tank to keep it from being captured and to go back to the Bn HQ.

Military Hops Home

In 54 I was on the USS Wisconsin in the MAR_DET... Got 30 days leave and someone suggested I take military hops home... Left Norfolk Air Station on Thurs am to Ancostia NAS outside Washington DC... Was told, closed for day come back early and will try to get you out west...

Got a local bus into DC and found everything full... High school kids, no hotels no flop houses nothing. Then found a room at The Hay Adams Hotel. (About a 10 star place) Took it, had a shower went on walk and ate...

Next morning checking out got nervous because rooms were like $150... Was a gentleman in front of me at Desk with a rather large entourage (He looked like King Farouk) Asked what a young Marine in dress greens was doing there and when I told him he laughed and said "You picked a nice one, I stay here all the time" He then turned to his minion who was checking the charges on his bill which must have been enormous and told him to just put my bill on theirs... Wah... I thanked him profusely and then got my bus back to Ancostia... I think service personnel in uniform rode busses free...

'Got off the bus just as they blew call to colors. Everyone ran but me and I stood on sidewalk for the song. A Navy staff car with 2 star admiral included pulled up to the curb, he got out and asked me WHY everyone had gone inside but me... I told him that's what the Corps taught and I would do it even on a Navy base... He shook my hand and asked my story. Told him I was trying to get to Tulsa and he said "My plane leaves in about an hour for San Antonio" Being a student of geography and fairly good at numbers I realized San Antone was closer to Tulsa than Wash DC and jumped on it.

At dispatch a rather important Navy clerk told us... no can do... Admiral asked to speak to officer in charge so some Ltjg comes out and is informed "Please tell your clerk he is dealing with an Admiral in the US Navy... not a mess clerk... If you can't handle our problem get the base commander over here now as we have words to exchange"... Problem solved... We had a steak and eggs breakfast en-route and he beat me like a stepchild at Cribbage (Cost me about 60 cents)

At San Antonio were dignitaries so I just thanked the crew and was leaving when he yelled "Got couple of Air Force guys going to Tinker AFB (Ok city) Again I put my super brain to work and said yes... closer to Tulsa. The Colonel (pilot) told me we were getting in too late for him to go home and wake everyone up so he was going to give me a ride to Tulsa... So... at 5am Saturday I was at a diner around the corner from my folks house... From Thurs am to Sat am... only cost... sandwich in Washington and 60 cents the admiral took... I realize that's impossible now as things have gone to he-- but it was a joy...

Sgt Don Wackerly 53-56

PS. Found another Marine brother from 54 recently and wanted to send him one of your hats (ALL Marines in public should be labeled so the population knows WHO they are dealing with and to be recognized by other Jarheads.) Your service staff is no doubt the best ever. All vendors should have to go to school with you. You are doing things right Grit...appreciate it...wack

A--hole To Bellybutton

Reading about the lime kool aid made me remember never calling it kool-aid we referred to it as bug juice... anyone remember the gammagoats ? the 6 wheeled amphibious supposedly floating troop carrier, I believe they became xtinct around 86 on Lejeune. And then there's the little sadistic ditty our DI's taught us to say before we were to seat, "those who kill for blood are sadists, those who kill for money are mercenary's, those who kill for both are UNITED STATES MARINES ooorah ooorah ooorah indian style left over right a--hole to bellybutton"... a very small price to pay to be one of the world's finest. SEMPER FI happy and safe holidays to every swingin' d-ck. Cpl Radtke TA 85-89

Towel On Their Arm

Sgt,

Well several beat me to the big green weenie But on that line. Both in Boot Camp and ITR the screw ups were forced to wear a regulation issued green bath towel on their arm. rolled up to resemble a certain male appendage! But it was referred to as a big green donkey D...

Never got to see Bob Hope while I was there. Other duties called. I sometimes wonder, why no other entertainers since Bob ever picked up the reins and continued his legacy and continued the shows on a regular basis (Every year). Bob was definitely one of the greatest, he showed compassion, concern, patriotism, and courage. For ALL service members, by willingly going into harm's way for thirty some years!

As to our favorite movies. Got to agree none of them held true to form through the entire movie. Not even the famous "The D I" which ended up being a love story. But we got to remember, many of the scenes in the movies were true stories and anecdotes collected and forged into one. Trying to tell the overall story.

And I love the smile on the Woman Marine as the platoon comes by singing cadence in "Heartbreak Ridge", "Mouthful of P...y and a handful of A.." I agree no recon platoon or squad would ever really be like that in "Heartbreak Ridge", but a lot of other inconsistencies too Like the "Jones" character, he must of been doing some "swooping" to be all over the country as he was running into Clint as he did! But still they are entertaining and at times bring back some cherished memories.

Speaking of ITR does anybody remember a quarantine for meningitis in November 1968 at Camp Pendleton. Can't remember if San Onofre or Camp Horno. But I think Horno. Brain is fuzzy. If you do remember, do you have any proof. I am in a fight with the VA over severe headaches and hearing loss that started right after I went to Naval Hospital 2 days into the quarantine. which are symptoms of being exposed or diagnosed with meningitis. They claim no record of it.

Merry Christmas to All Semper Fi Choo Choo Sgt of Marines (nla) in the "crotch' 68- 74 and never got the fleas RVN 70-71

Sgt Major and No S-x

A crusty old Marine Sergeant Major found himself at a gala event hosted by a local liberal arts college.

There was no shortage of extremely young idealistic ladies in attendance, one of whom approached the Sergeant Major for conversation.

"Excuse me, Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a very serious man. Is something bothering you?"

"Negative, ma'am. Just serious by nature."

The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and said, "It looks like you have seen a lot of action."

"Yes, ma'am, a lot of action."

The young lady, tiring of trying to start up a conversation, said, "You know, you should lighten up. Relax and enjoy yourself."

The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner.

Finally the young lady said, "You know, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but when is the last time you had s-x?"

"1955, ma'am."

"Well, there you are. No wonder you're so serious. You really need to chill out! I mean, no s-x since 1955! She took his hand and led him to a private room where she proceeded to "relax" him several times.

Afterwards, panting for breath, she leaned against his bare chest and said, "Wow, you sure didn't forget much since 1955."

The Sergeant Major said, after glancing at his watch, "I hope not; it's only 2130 now."

How Great Is This

Sgt Grit,

I want to thank you very much for forwarding my e-mail address to my friend Mike Ware, who wrote an article in you Newsletter about a concert with the Marine Band in Japan. We are now sending mail to each other after not seeing each other for 48 years. How great is that? Thanks again

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

Semper Fi, Wayne Bunt GySgt Ret Band Drum Major

Note: I agree! I have talked for years about how great it is to find your buddies. Glad to have been of help. We have put up a new site to help you find your buddies. It is easy to use and FREE! Activate your Buddy Search now

Do it now. It is never too late to find your buddies. Above you see 48 years later and the joy. Do it now. Trust me on this, you will not regret it. Sgt Grit

Short Rounds

non-pc: Let's not forget the 80's, FTS. F--k the suck! It seems to have come about around the time we returned from Beirut.

I guess I'm OLD CORPS too. I have heard several stories about where OO Ra came from but to me it's just not the same as Semper Fi. In 1957 when signed up that was the a special greeting between Marines and it will always be that for me.

McFarland W. W. Cpl 1592939

I went thru boot camp at SD 8/29/66 to 10/31/66 (Platoon 2207) and never heard ooohrah not even thru ITR at Pendleton nor in 'Nam all thru boot camp our only yell was KILL-KILL-KILL

Torres R F 'Nam 67-68

In response to the question where did Oo-rah come from. In 1968 I was with 2nd Radio Bn. at Camp Geiger, a place where Parris Island graduates were sent for ITR. The only other permanent outfit was 2nd Force Recon, across the street from Radbn. When their formations were given a "dismiss" they would in unison yell, "Ahoooorah". It was a Recon thing all the way. That's where the present day Oh-rah originated.

Sgt. Fuzzy Feb.68-Feb.72

I guess I'm showing my age, the first time I heard OO RA, I thought it was an Army person. I still say Semper Fi! Robert Maskill Cpl. 57-60

Brandon Sharp I will again enjoy my Christmas dinner while standing, as long as we have Marines (troops) deployed who cannot sit down and enjoy dinner with their family I will not sit down with mine! Semper Fi! From Facebook page.

Don Harkness wrote about his time at an Army Base on Okinawa; I'm certain that it was Camp Sukiran. I attended a Vietnamese language school there in the late summer of 1965.

Glenn McAnarney

Sgt Grit,

I'm writing to tell you that I enjoy your newsletter very much. Also, not to be petty, I noticed in the last newsletter, someone referred to a fox hole. We were told in boot camp (1965) that Marines fight out of a fighting hole... foxes hide in a fox hole!

Semper Fi, Ray Kelley... D/1/3... 1966-67

On the 1st day of Christmas my DI gave to me my whole boot camp issue. I was a dumb gun of a gun then and ain't improved much since. I've got a picture of "Chesty Puller" on my hall wall. He's the "cat's pajama's" as far as I'm concerned. Sundown

Sgt. To all those talking about time in grade - you should be proud of yourselves. Think of all those millions of people who spend their whole lives and never get beyond the rank of 'civilian.' Bush

Do you remember these: Giang Sinh Vui Ve, and Joyuex Noel? From one Marine to another. Have a Blessed Christmas with only the best memories. Semper Fi Ron Kasek

Hey Sarge... I watched the video tour of the Danang golf course... What I saw was that it's laid out on my old camp... the home of 5th comm bn., 3rd mar div. I've got two pics taken in 65 & 66 of me at our bunker, and the life guard tower on the beach that have the same view of Monkey Mountain in the back ground. We were about a mile south of China Beach proper, and north of Marble Mt, and MAG 13.

Bob Yount Sgt 64-66 RVN

And keep the doggies from getting in under the barbwired... Walt. 1st Mar. KorVet

Sgt. Grit, read where Ray L. Walker was WIA on hill 1282 on 11/28/50. My brother Laurence was KIA on the same hill on the 28th of Nov. 1950. He was buried at Yudam ni and I brought his body home when they recovered his body at the Chosin. I got him home to MN. Christmas eve 1954. Sgt. PM Wojciechowski. Thanks for your Newsletter.

Read in the newsletter the message from Kent M. Yates concerning a song he heard in the 1960s. The song he remembers is on the album "Tell It To The Marines" by Oscar Brand. It is collection of songs sung by Marines in the Pacific during WWII and in Korea. Great songs for any Marine. Listened to it a lot while in Vietnam. Joe A. Bell Retired Economics Professor Once a Sgt., Always a Marine

Hi: I must be the oldest Fart out here in served in USMC from March 1940 until March 1946. Then USMCR from 46 until 1959 when I was Retired from the Reserves. Attained the rank of permanent M/Sgt. in 1944. Certificate of Retirement signed by General R. M. Pate. Commandant of the Marine Corps. Semper Fi M/Sgt. Howard J. Fuller, USMCR

Middle Finger

Another topic that is sort of related is this unofficial hand and arm signal. When a Marine finds himself stuck in a bad position, he can give the following signal to any fellow Marines close by: With the right hand, flip a good old-fashioned , middle finger "bird". Then with the left hand open and palm down, motion the left hand up and down over the right hand bird to say "Cover me, I'm F--ked!".

Depending on how bad your situation looked to the other Marines, you might just get the same sign right back, except with the right hand bird moving up and down into the palm of the left hand, which meant "F--k You, I'm covered!"

1st MarDiv Association of Orange County

Dear Sgt. Grit:

I am scheduled to be installed as the 2012 president of the 1st MarDiv Association of Orange County, California. Since our membership is aging rather rapidly, many of us are in our 70's or older, we are looking to recruit new members from OEF or OIF to help fill our ranks. They are welcome to contact me by phone or by email. I can be reached by telephone at home at: 562-856-2224, cell: 562-760-2844 and my email address is: photo.prose7 @ yahoo .com (no spaces). I will respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.

We have monthly meetings at a local legion hall, we have a breakfast for those who want to attend every Tuesday morning at 0830 hours, we have weekend events such as a picnic, a luau with dancers, and of course, we celebrate the Corps birthday every year with the full ceremony and a wonderful choice of entries. So, come on Marines. Keep in touch with the Corps through our organization and grow with us as we move forward.

Semper Fidelis, I. J. Oshana E 2/1, Korea 1952-1953 Discharged: 8/62

Cake Cutting

Howdy Sgt Grit

Been some time since I dropped you a line but I'm not much of a writer. First off I want to thank you for the good service on order delivery's fast and in good shape'

Next, The weekly newsletter is great, I know all the Marines out there await it each week. I try to make mine last a week, don't always make it.

The first two photos are of the first cake cutting ceremony at our VFW post, only five this year, will be better next year. The cake cutters are our corpsman and me, I'm the chubby one. The cake was made by a friend of mine and she did a beautiful job, it is all edible including the center emblem. Nobody wanted to break it so the post put it on a hard surface to save it.

The next photo is me and my brand new Grit helmet, love it. It attracts notice and comments. Well done guys.

The last photo is me at a much younger time in life, Thought maybe someone might remember me.

House mice, in 1951 in Sasebo JP we lived in Quonsets and we all had a house boy or as we called the house mouse, do not know where the term started but guess it goes back aways...

Back in 51 we had AFR, armed forces radio and these guys were always thinking stuff up, some of the funniest were the Salushi samurai( the Lone Ranger) and fishnet(Dragnet) These were really funny and I'm hoping someone has a copy I can get. Enough BS for this time, yall have a great XMass and NY and stay safe.

Dave (mavric) Erickson The old Gunny Semper-Fi

Unfinished M1 Stock

Greetings Gentlemen.... I have a question I am hoping some of the old salts out there from the 1950s might help me with... I entered the Marine Corps in Sept.1956 at MCRD San Diego... We were issued our M1 rifles while in boot camp... As I remember what I was issued was a rifle with a stock completely unfinished... I think it was walnut but was as rough as it could be... It had the shape of a rifle stock but with a lot of saw marks and rough places... It was either there or while going through ITR at Camp Pendleton us guys started trying to smooth out these rough stocks...

We took a coke bottle and broke it into pieces... we'd take one of the bigger pieces and tape it up so we wouldn't cut ourselves and use a sharp edge to scrape off the rough spots... Once we got it nice and smooth we took sandpaper to finish it... From there we'd take warm linseed oil and start hand rubbing with the heel of our hand to get it into the stock... The friction from rubbing would work that oil into the wood until after several months we had built up a nice finish... I've wore blisters on the heel of my hand from rubbing so much when the oil got so hot... Over a year or so my rifle stock looked like it had several coats of varnish on it... but it was just the hand rubbed linseed oil...

My question is... Does anybody out there remember receiving one these stocks that required that much work ?... I'm sure I wasn't the only one who experienced this... But as of yet haven't found anyone else that remembers ... Hoping to hear from someone...

Howard W. Kennedy

Over Kill

Sgt Grit and to all present greetings. I have seen some amazing acts of courage and kindness in the 22 years I spent on active duty in the Marine Corps. today I witnessed the greatest act of kindness by any Marine I have known to date.

Let me start at the beginning. You see sadly 1 week before thanksgiving my neighbor and best friend passed away. Sadly he left behind 3 children under the age of 12 and 1 teenage son (all adopted). He and his wife have raised 28 children over the years by working with foster care. I have never seen a funeral procession over 3 miles long for a man, who was as he would say "just a mechanic".

Back to my reason for writing. I submitted the names of the kids to toys for tots and they were approved. I took his widow to the reserve center here in Cross Lanes West Virginia (alpha co. number unknown combat engineers) this morning. We had a 0845 appointment. We arrived at 0830. Upon arrival we were instructed to wait just a moment while the rotc student took our information. 3 children under age 12. actual ages 8, 9, 11. 2 girls 1 boy, the 8 year old. Prior to getting the toys for tots info from you and a recruiting substation I was given 2 or three Marine Corps recruiting posters to give to the boy. (they are displayed on his wall as I am typing this letter to you.

Well sorry once again I have drifted off course. We were given a garbage bag of toys to take home for the kids when a SSgt. noticed the Marine Corps stickers I have placed on my pickup truck so all the world would have no doubt that I am a United States Marine. (the wife calls them over kill I call it pride) He asked me how long I served in the Corps I answered him and after a couple of Semper Fi's and a some ooohhh raaaahhh

He said to me wait here just a minute, he will be right back. well Sarge I will tell you my heart almost broke loose from its mooring when he came out with not one but 3 brand new BICYCLES for these kids. They are now secured in my garage until Christmas eve at which time I will bring them to their house to place around or under their tree. All I can say is Thank God I was so young and dumb at the age of 17 years, and enlisted in the Marine Corps. I have never been more proud to call myself Marine than I was today as this woman wiped the tears from her eyes.

Short Time Adjustment Period

I was stationed at N.W.S. Yorktown, Va. Marine Barracks, Special Weapons Detachment in 71'-73'.We guarded nukes. We were fan firing. There were 10 targets in a row and two firing lines. 5 at 20 yds. for the shotgun and 5 at 30 (or 25) for the .45 positioned immediately behind and immediately to the right of the shot gun firing line. The Gunny got us up and running and I stood behind the .45 firing line awaiting my relay. From my vantage point, I realized that if the first .45 shooter came 5 degrees port, he would hit the last shotgun shooter. In horror, I approached the Gunny and whispered to him the situation. He immediately gave a "Cease Fire" and instituted a safer arrangement. He motioned me back to his jeep, clearly shaken. I could now see that the Gunny had a bad hangover. "Thank you Cpl. Bates.", was all he said. Apparently, none of the detail noticed. "Gunny, I will say nothing." I replied. He cut me a big Huss during my "Short Time Adjustment Period" so it all evened out.

Cpl. Dick Bates

Homeless Vets

Sgt. Grit. I thank you for what you are trying to do for our brother & sisters

I am the coordinator for the Veterans Dignity Burial Program. At this time I am working to bring a homeless Marine to be buried at D.F.W. National. We do not ask for, nor do we need any Money

The only thing we ask is that we have people to understand that WE do have HOMELESS VETS of all Branches. Who need help.

E.B. Sledge

He is buried at the Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama in the SW corner of section 12 R near a non-paved road. Ironically he is not listed as one of the famous persons buried in the cemetery.

Jim Grimes Sgt 69-72

Question Asked on Facebook

No Females in the Barracks! Who broke this rule? Tell us about it~

Tim Cadwell- I had a buddy when I was stationed at Mar Bks HI who would stash his girlfriend in his wall locker when we went out for pt in the morning. He'd give her a pillow, a canteen of water, and lock her in until we got back from our run, then smuggle her out after we went to chow. As far as I knew.

Prom night in Beaufort, SC. Me as Barracks duty NCO, the SgtMaj's daughter (underage) in one of the Marine's barracks rooms. Luckily I got her clothed before Daddy got there...

Calvin Ballew- we used to pull the fire alarm and stand in the parking lot to see who came out of who's room late on weekend nights

Rob Estrada- who did? more like who didn't lol grunt did it all the time, than when duty came by to check we'd hide em in our closet, told em to don't move, shut up, and hold the unauthorized liquor we had in the room

Jennifer Ward Poulsen- My husband (when we first started dating) smuggled me in through barracks at PI and the fire alarm went off! hahahaha! All you saw were hats w pony tails running towards cars.

Jimmy Boucher- I came very close to getting caught in the girls Barracks at Camp Pendleton once. I had to jump the rail and shimmy down three stories using a metal pipe. It was worth it, good memories.

Jennifer Blunk- I met my husband in Hawaii (I'm from CA) I would stay with him in the barracks all the time. When I visited It was a cinder block love nest! Lol! I wonder if the dude who shared a bathroom with him wondered why he heard a blow dryer in the am?

Cherokee Merklinger- My oldest child was conceived in the barracks at Walter Reed almost 18 years ago.. His bio dad, another soldier pretty much stayed in my room, cuz my roommate lived off post

Javier Mendez- Jr before me and my wife got married she would come just about every weekend and stay with me then my roommate got back from 29 palms and it turned into stayin only during the night and went out during the day. she missed her train one night and stayed till Monday. and of course it had to be the day my sgts decided to go thru rooms....bad juju lol

Pusan Korea

Hey Sgt. Grit,

I can't remember if it was Christmas day or just before Christmas 1952. Some of our Outfit (1st. 90MM AAA Gun Battalion) went to the Bob Hope Christmas Show in Pusan, Korea. The show was held in an area that had a large swimming pool, no water - dry. A stage was set up in the deep end of the pool and benches were line up from the stage to the shallow end. Marines, and Army personnel sat along the pools edge while the benches were occupied by the brass up front with Staff NCO's sitting in what was left of the unoccupied bench's. The show featured Piper Laurie, Jerry Colona, and others. The show was absolutely wonderful.

After leaving active duty in 1961 I became a corporate pilot, and was in Kissimmee, Fl. near Disney World. A guy was using a pay phone on the edge of the flight line, and as he turned around, it was Bob Hope. I said hello to him not expecting him to say anything. He extended his hand to me and shook hands. We got to talking about his tours for the Troops, and he said he really enjoyed entertaining the troops and looked forward to the next one.

He was a very gracious gentleman and I know that he is sorely missed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR MARINES

Sgt John Vogel, USMC 51/61 1206263

A Marine and His Son

Don't know if any of you saw this photo Chris and Donna Cowdrey posted on Facebook. This is Landon Carpenter -- born one month after his Dad paid the price in Afghanistan serving with 3/8. It is clearly one of the most moving photos I have seen representing the sacrifice of our Marines in this conflict.

All gave some...some gave all. SF Rich

Quotes

When a female reporter asked a Marine sergeant about he and his men being possibly sent into harm's way, the sergeant replied, "Ma'am, we're United States Marines. We ARE harm's way".

"The Galleries are full of critics. They play no ball. They fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in the arena are the doers. They make mistakes because they try many things. The man who makes no mistakes lacks boldness and the spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything. He is the break in the wheel of progress. And yet it cannot be truly said he makes no mistakes, because his biggest mistake is the very fact that he tries nothing, does nothing, except criticize those who do things." --David M. SHOUP, General, United States Marine Corps

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." --Edmund Burke

"Our contemporaries are only too ready to doubt the existence of free will because as individuals they feel frustrated by their weakness no matter which way they turn, yet they are still quite prepared to recognize the strength and independence of men joined together in a social body. One should be careful not to obscure this idea, because the goal is to exalt men's souls, not to complete the task of laying them low." -- Alexis de Tocqueville

"It has been said that all Government is an evil. It would be more proper to say that the necessity of any Government is a misfortune. This necessity however exists; and the problem to be solved is, not what form of Government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect." --James Madison

"Lest I keep my complacent way, I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask, and I must answer, 'Was I Worth Dying For?'" --Eleanor Roosevelt

"[A] wise and frugal government ... shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government." --Thomas Jefferson

The USMC is over 222 years of romping, stomping, h-ll, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our Mother was an M-16, and our Father was the Devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green amphibious monster, made of blood and guts, who arose from the sea, feasting on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battlefield, giving my life for Mom, the Corps, and the American Flag. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the H-ll out of both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, MARINE BY GOD! OORAH!